Rutkauskas’ 37 not enough for Parnu

RIGA – After a neck to neck battle for the whole game, Barons/LDz ultimately triumphed against Parnu 81-78 (20-22; 15-16; 27-24; 19-16) in the Group A match-up.

RIGA – After a neck to neck battle for the whole game, Barons/LDz ultimately triumphed against Parnu 81-78 (20-22; 15-16; 27-24; 19-16) in the Group A match-up.

Barons/LDz now have two victories in four games to their name, while Parnu dropped to a 1-3 record.

For most of the first quarter, it was the visitors leading the way, as they held a 10-point advantage with nearly 8 minutes played. However, the Latvians finished the quarter with a 10-2 run and were down by just two after the first quarter.

Parnu once again shot ahead at the start of the second quarter and were back to their 10-point lead. But just like before, Barons/LDz went right back with a couple of great plays and were down by three points at halftime.

The hosts finally managed to have a taste of the lead in the third quarter and from then on it was a neck-to-neck battle.

Halfway through the final quarter, Barons/LDz were ahead 71-66, but then the visitors had ten unanswered points and put themselves in a good position to win. However, Kristaps Valters had the final words. He first tied the game at 76 and then gave his team the victory with a long-range bomb with the last couple of seconds ticking down.

Barons’ Kristaps Valters made a statement for the weekly top five, as he scored 27 points and tore down 7 rebounds. ArtursBricis added 15, while Kaspars Kambala ended the game with 10 points.

For the losing side, it was a one-man showcase. Ronaldas Rutkauskas was absolutely unstoppable and was the sole reason his team was in such a good position. The big man had mind-boggling stats with 37 points (16/26 FG) and 11 rebounds. Sandis Silavs added 13 points, while Renato Lindmets chipped in with 12.